Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 18, 2011 (John 2:12-25):
1. “It is noticeable that Jesus began His ministry with an act of holiness rather than of power. He wished to teach the nation that the supreme need was their spiritual cleansing…” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
2. Cleansing the Temple of the sellers of animals and exchangers of money was a symbolic act of judgment to declare His Messiahship and to deal with the corruption of worship caused by a commercial spirit in a place meant for worship, sacrifice and prayer.
3. Four threats to worship:
-going through the motions (Malachi 1)
-treating God as a “good-luck charm” (1 Samuel 4:1ff)
-worshipping without obedience to God’s revelation (1 Samuel 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:1ff)
-worshipping the wrong things (the creation/created things rather than the Creator) (Psalm 135:15ff)
4. Four pre-requisites to worship (from: The Ultimate Priority by John MacArthur):
-“we must be yielded to the Holy Spirit”
-“our thoughts must be centered on God”
-“we must have an undivided heart”
-“we must be repentant” (we must deal with sin in our lives)
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Saving the Best 'Til Last
Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 11th (John 2:1-11):
Lessons at a wedding:
-Jesus brings joy: “…, it is most significant, therefore, that [Jesus] first miracle, which was an index to His whole ministry, was so related to the joy of a wedding feast. It rebukes the foolish fear that religion robs life of its happiness, or that loyalty to Christ is inconsistent with exuberant spirits and innocent pleasure. It corrects the false impression that sourness is a sign of sainthood, or that gloom is a condition of godliness. It indicates the transforming, enabling, transfiguring power of Christ, and shows how He came that we ‘may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
-The new replaces the old: Judaism had become empty and bankrupt of meaning through its emphasis on ritual and externals while neglecting true spiritual matters. Jesus was the best that was saved till last.
-Jesus transforms: Even as He turned the water into wine, Jesus transforms sinners into saints. Jesus ministry is a ministry of transformation (regeneration) not renovation.
-Faith is not a static thing, it grows: The Disciples’ initial faith in Jesus grew and developed as they observed the ministry and power of Jesus.
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 11th (John 2:1-11):
Lessons at a wedding:
-Jesus brings joy: “…, it is most significant, therefore, that [Jesus] first miracle, which was an index to His whole ministry, was so related to the joy of a wedding feast. It rebukes the foolish fear that religion robs life of its happiness, or that loyalty to Christ is inconsistent with exuberant spirits and innocent pleasure. It corrects the false impression that sourness is a sign of sainthood, or that gloom is a condition of godliness. It indicates the transforming, enabling, transfiguring power of Christ, and shows how He came that we ‘may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
-The new replaces the old: Judaism had become empty and bankrupt of meaning through its emphasis on ritual and externals while neglecting true spiritual matters. Jesus was the best that was saved till last.
-Jesus transforms: Even as He turned the water into wine, Jesus transforms sinners into saints. Jesus ministry is a ministry of transformation (regeneration) not renovation.
-Faith is not a static thing, it grows: The Disciples’ initial faith in Jesus grew and developed as they observed the ministry and power of Jesus.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Discipleship 101
Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.
Here's the recap from this sermon:
(John 1:40-51):
Characteristics of a Disciple (What should a disciple learn?)
1. A disciple is learning to put Christ first in their lives. Matthew 6:19-34
2. A disciple is learning to put everything under the control of Christ: money, time, family, marriage, friendships, work. 1 Peter 3:15
3. A disciple is learning to die to self, to come alive to Christ and the Holy Spirit within. Mark 8:34
4. A disciple is learning about proper goals in life. Philippians 3:12-14
5. A disciple is one who is learning to love Christ. Matthew 22:34-40
6. A disciple is one who is learning to keep His commandments in all areas of life: purity, relationships, right and wrong, ethics, integrity. John 14:15
7. A disciple is learning to take everything to Christ, even the smallest things in their lives, day to day incidences and concerns, "haphazard circumstances" (Oswald Chambers) Philippians 4:6,7
8. A disciple is learning to be obedient to the will of God. Colossians 1:9
9. A disciple is one who is learning to please God in every way. Colossians 1:10
10. A disciple is one who is learning to speak to God in prayer, learning to bring all their needs before God. Matthew 6:9-13
11. A disciple is one who is learning to love God's Word. 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:11-14
12. A disciple is one who is learning to bring every thought into the captivity of Christ, bringing their thoughts and attitudes in line with the Word of God whether about marriage, family, politics, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
13. A disciple is one who is learning to care for others. Philippians 2:4
14. A disciple is one who is learning to serve others. Luke 22:26-27
15. A disciple is one who is learning to let God's Spirit dominate his life. Ephesians 5:18
Click here to download the sermon.
Here's the recap from this sermon:
(John 1:40-51):
Characteristics of a Disciple (What should a disciple learn?)
1. A disciple is learning to put Christ first in their lives. Matthew 6:19-34
2. A disciple is learning to put everything under the control of Christ: money, time, family, marriage, friendships, work. 1 Peter 3:15
3. A disciple is learning to die to self, to come alive to Christ and the Holy Spirit within. Mark 8:34
4. A disciple is learning about proper goals in life. Philippians 3:12-14
5. A disciple is one who is learning to love Christ. Matthew 22:34-40
6. A disciple is one who is learning to keep His commandments in all areas of life: purity, relationships, right and wrong, ethics, integrity. John 14:15
7. A disciple is learning to take everything to Christ, even the smallest things in their lives, day to day incidences and concerns, "haphazard circumstances" (Oswald Chambers) Philippians 4:6,7
8. A disciple is learning to be obedient to the will of God. Colossians 1:9
9. A disciple is one who is learning to please God in every way. Colossians 1:10
10. A disciple is one who is learning to speak to God in prayer, learning to bring all their needs before God. Matthew 6:9-13
11. A disciple is one who is learning to love God's Word. 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:11-14
12. A disciple is one who is learning to bring every thought into the captivity of Christ, bringing their thoughts and attitudes in line with the Word of God whether about marriage, family, politics, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
13. A disciple is one who is learning to care for others. Philippians 2:4
14. A disciple is one who is learning to serve others. Luke 22:26-27
15. A disciple is one who is learning to let God's Spirit dominate his life. Ephesians 5:18
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